MOUNT DOOM

I started off all gung-ho about our fall trip to Mount Woraksan. A few kilometers in, my spirits changed. The leaves were incredibly vibrant and the views were striking, but the hike was pure death. If you think you are in good shape, I challenge you to MOUNT DOOM. Even the seasoned Koreans said it was difficult. We are talking pulling your weight up vertical rocks using metal poles and maneuvering down ropes courses. It was sort of like being on one of those rehab challenge shows where your mental abilities are tested by strenuous, never ending tasks in the woods. You know, when you are screaming, "I can't do it anymore!" And the leader is yelling, "You woosey, is that all you got? Push." Anyways, you get the picture. We should have turned around after the first peak, but our need to conquer urged us to push forward. This energy was dampened when we were climbing down boulders at dusk. Woopsies. Good thing we didn't see any Goral (devilish mountain goats).

After collapsing onto pavement, we pulled ourselves together and hobbled to a restaurant for dong dong ju (fermented rice liquor-tastes like boozy bananas). I'm not so much a fan, but the men love it. Once we had enough eumph to push forward we tried to navigate to a bus stop. Needless to say, we were now on the other side of the mountain, after dark, in a podunk village. We debated about sneaking on to an Avalon English tour bus that we spotted parked outside a restaurant, but opted for questioning the convenience store staff. The man directed us to the super market for bus times, which was no where in sight down the blackened road. Eventually, we glimpsed the neon super market sign and met a new friend who informed us that the buses were finished. After 5 minutes of staring at a handmade time schedule we requestioned him on our destination. Alas, we located a bus leaving in 10 minutes. However, it happened to be on the other end of town. We bolted across a river and followed a windy road and magically found a bus. I really don't know how it worked out.

Once in Suanbo, we checked into a cheap motel and went on a mission for food. We demolished some bulgogi and veggies and we easily became light headed from a drop of alcohol. After, we decided to meander around the town. Michael heard music emanating from a building next to a mart we were stationed at. So, he lead the way in and we entered into what I can hypothesize is the Lion's club of Korea. Everyone was over 60, drunk, dancing, and singing karoakee. We were instantly pulled onto the dance floor and began grooving. Jake was dancing on the stage with old ladies, Michael held it down on the dance floor and old men were showing me their mountain moves. I realized the oogling and escaped to the restroom. When I returned, Jake basically blurted, "Let's get out of here!" and ran to the door. I followed promptly in confusion just to find out some creepster man grabbed his junk! Ah ha ha....oh, korea.

At the final bar, Jake ordered some strange plate of food just prior to falling asleep in the booth from pure exhaustion. I tried to feed him what looked like fiery spaghetti noodles but he karate chopped the fork across the room and it landed on the speakers. At this point, we decided it was time for bed. Thank you Mount Doom. All 11 km of you.